ANTIGUA, Guatemala – The heads of state and government and representatives of 22 Ibero-American countries began their biennial summit on Friday at a time when the region is going through a number of crises including Central American migrations, the turmoil in Venezuela and Nicaragua, and such challenges as global warming.

The Guatemalan host of the summit, President Jimmy Morales, welcomed the leaders to what was once the old colonial convent of Santo Domingo del Valle, now made into a hotel and several museums.

The Ibero-American chief executives will tackle an official agenda that includes such matters as sustainable development and the region’s contribution to doing better in matters of gender equality, cooperation, culture and indigenous peoples, and expects to debate current affairs like the Central American migratory crisis.

Morales, who opened the debates, recalled the region’s “commitment” to comply with the 2030 Agenda despite regional difficulties and diversities.

“Guatemala is a country that enjoys rich cultural diversity, which implies a big challenge for inclusion, while at the same time diversity gives us the chance to be more complementary – and we must not let our young people flee from us considering all they have to offer,” he said.

The Guatemalan president also spoke of the importance of increasing economic integration in the region and “making Ibero-America an area of world leadership.”